Historic!! The U.S. Senate has confirmed 2 Black and Gay Judicial Nominees to the federal bench.

History was made today! Darrin Gayles and Staci Yandle are the first Black and openly gay judicial nominees confirmed to the federal bench.

From Lambda Legal's Press Release:

Today, the U.S. Senate made judicial history by confirming Darrin Gayles to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and Staci Yandle to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, marking the first time that two openly gay judicial nominees have been confirmed to the federal bench on the same day.

Lambda Legal released the following statement from Fair Courts Project Manager Eric Lesh:

"President Obama has already nominated more African-American judges and openly gay and lesbian judges than any of his predecessors. With this historic confirmation, Darrin Gayles will become the nation's first openly gay African-American man to serve on the federal bench, while Staci Yandle becomes the second openly lesbian African-American woman to be confirmed in the 20 years since President Clinton nominated Deborah Batts to the Southern District of New York.

"Today, it is more important than ever that our courts reflect the growing diversity of our country, but we have a long way to go. There are nearly 900 federal judges in the U.S., and most are white men. Federal courts are charged with providing everyone with equal access to justice, and yet justice has not always been a reality for some. A diverse judiciary serves not only to improve the quality of justice, but to boost public confidence in the courts."

What's That? Marco Rubio supports the First Black, Openly Gay Federal Judge Nominee?

Hell is getting cold.

Sen. Marco Rubio isn't standing in the way of Florida judicial nominee Darrin Gayles. Marco is allowing the Senate Judiciary Committee to go forward with Gayles' nomination for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Marco has submitted his blue slip to the committee. This blue slip is the 'ok' for a candidate to move forward. Florida Democrat Bill Nelson also turned in his blue slip, which gives the committee chairman Patrick Leahy the sign to move forward with a hearing.

Darrin has more steps to take in the process. If he gets it, he will be the nation's first black, openly gay man to serve as a federal judge.

source

President Obama nominates Darrin Gayles another Gay Black Judge to Federal Bench

After the foolishness with William Thomas, President Obama will nominate Darrin Gayles to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Darrin has a rich history in Florida. In 2011, he served as a circuit court judge for Florida's 11th Judicial Circuit and later, served as a county judge for the same circuit.

Darrin was also endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund for his bid for re-election in 2012.

Metro Weekly also noted these accomplishments from Darrin:

Gayles served as an assistant district counsel at the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service from 1997 to 1998 and as an assistant state attorney in the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office from 1993 to 1997. He is a graduate of George Washington University Law School and Howard University.

I wish him the best of luck